Ange Postecoglou felt Brennan Johnson was unfortunate not to open his Tottenham Hotspur account against Arsenal with David Raya making an ‘outstanding’ save.
Starting again with Aaron Ramsdale watching on from the sidelines – that video of the now benchwarming shot-stopper eerily reminiscent of an overlooked actor smiling through gritted teeth after an Oscar’s snub – David Raya took one giant stride towards making the Arsenal number one shirt his own for good.
Yes, the Brentford loanee was beaten by two razor-sharp Heung Min Son finishes. But, if it wasn’t for his cat-like reflexes and his superb commanding of the penalty area, a brave, bold Tottenham side may have made the short journey back home celebrating their first Premier League win at the Emirates since 2011.
Raya pulled off one particularly stand-out stop to keep Brennan Johnson off the scoresheet. A save that had even Postecoglou sending compliments his way.
David Raya shines as Arsenal draw with Tottenham
“Today, we were a goal threat from different areas as well,” says the coach who, as far as en enthralled Tottenham fanbase are concerned, is putting the ‘Wizard’ in ‘Oz’ (Football London).
“Brennan was really unlucky not to get a goal. I thought it was an outstanding save by Raya, so we need to keep doing that. We will not just be reliant on one or two players.”
With five in his first six games this season, Son is certainly stepping up in the absence of departed talisman Harry Kane; a new-look centre-forward role perfectly suiting a player who has maybe lost a yard of pace but retains that ice-cool finishing.
Johnson, Spurs’ £47 million deadline day signing, could do worse than to watch Son closely. The former Nottingham Forest speedster unable to match a lively display with a maiden Spurs goal.
Raya is a ‘masterstroke’ of a signing
‘I think Raya coming in is a masterstroke from Mikel Arteta,” Manchester United legend Gary Neville told Sky Sports before Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
“That shows that he has got that brutal decision making element to him. Aaron Ramsdale done nothing wrong. But, to bring Raya in after they’ve beaten United here after the international break, is a big call.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
